Touchy throttle 25 117 VVT?
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 1,097
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From: Colorado
I have a 2025 Low Rider S and as I noticed during my tests of various new models, the new throttle grip is indeed very sensitive.
The return spring is already softer and requires less effort to turn, and the response is immediate from the very first millimeter of rotation.
In sport mode, this can generate jerkiness, especially in town when you're constantly accelerating and cutting the throttle.
I'm starting to get used to it after 1000 miles. It requires a flexible wrist, not gripping the handlebars too tightly or holding the grip firmly, and also having a good riding position.
The Low Rider S isn't very ergonomically suited for taller riders, and I'm not always very comfortable riding it, which, in my opinion, amplifies the issue.
Once I've made the necessary adjustments to get a good riding position, I think I'll be able to better control the throttle.
I think the first thing to do is make sure you're properly positioned and that the brake and clutch levers are at the right height for easier operation.
I mainly use sport mode on highways where you don't have to constantly cut the throttle.
Road mode suits me well most of the time, and I can manage acceleration and deceleration effectively. I often use rain mode in the city.
Otherwise, I wonder if this issue could perhaps be mitigated with some fine tuning...
The return spring is already softer and requires less effort to turn, and the response is immediate from the very first millimeter of rotation.
In sport mode, this can generate jerkiness, especially in town when you're constantly accelerating and cutting the throttle.
I'm starting to get used to it after 1000 miles. It requires a flexible wrist, not gripping the handlebars too tightly or holding the grip firmly, and also having a good riding position.
The Low Rider S isn't very ergonomically suited for taller riders, and I'm not always very comfortable riding it, which, in my opinion, amplifies the issue.
Once I've made the necessary adjustments to get a good riding position, I think I'll be able to better control the throttle.
I think the first thing to do is make sure you're properly positioned and that the brake and clutch levers are at the right height for easier operation.
I mainly use sport mode on highways where you don't have to constantly cut the throttle.
Road mode suits me well most of the time, and I can manage acceleration and deceleration effectively. I often use rain mode in the city.
Otherwise, I wonder if this issue could perhaps be mitigated with some fine tuning...
I know the wife won't do Stage 2 on this. She also won't ditch her warantee right now. Eventually, we will get a tune on it and hopefully soften some of that. However, I have even considered getting a HD flash in the meantime if they have one that addresses it. I can put a cleaner on and maybe slip on... Maybe that's a possibility.
To make matters worse, the clutch is pretty darn strong. She has the hydro on her trike, and I put a new slave cylinder on to make it easier so she is hosed... But even me riding it... Wears me out a bit. So it would help if it had nice easy clutch with wide friction zone... But it doesn't.
But yes, in the meantime, I got her narrower bars and riser to get her just right.
Last edited by Powermankw; Mar 29, 2026 at 12:44 AM.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,094
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From: France
My wife ride also a Freewheeler and she also finds it a bit difficult to use in city traffic when you have to constantly operate it, but other than that she's fine with it.
When you speak of the friction zone that can't be adjusted, it's on the hydro clutch of the trike I suppose ? because on the Street Bob you know you can do it and that's what I will do on mine because my friction zone is too far, nearly at the end of the stroke of the lever and I think this will increase my riding comfort and my ability to better control the machine.
All these little details are important and contribute to driving comfort and also to safety.
When you speak of the friction zone that can't be adjusted, it's on the hydro clutch of the trike I suppose ? because on the Street Bob you know you can do it and that's what I will do on mine because my friction zone is too far, nearly at the end of the stroke of the lever and I think this will increase my riding comfort and my ability to better control the machine.
All these little details are important and contribute to driving comfort and also to safety.
Here is the cam chest on the 117" '25 Softails.
Here is the cam chest on the '25 121 ci. VVT.
The parts that enable VVT are the variable drive gear for the cam, part 14, the cam phaser, part 24, and the VVT actuator solenoid, part 29. These are missing in the 117" and 121" HO models. The advantage to VVT is a much flatter torque curve, although the over all power seems to be less.
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Joined: Apr 2015
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Although there are changes to the cam drive on the '25 Softails, the components that actually give the engine Variable Valve Timing are missing. The only models that currently have this are the 2025 121 ci. CVO Road Glide and the CVO Street Glide, the 2026 117 ci. Road Glide Limited & Street Glide Limited, the 2026 121 ci. CVO Road Glide/Street Glide, and the 2026 121 ci. CVO Street Glide Limited.
Here is the cam chest on the 117" '25 Softails.
Here is the cam chest on the '25 121 ci. VVT.
The parts that enable VVT are the variable drive gear for the cam, part 14, the cam phaser, part 24, and the VVT actuator solenoid, part 29. These are missing in the 117" and 121" HO models. The advantage to VVT is a much flatter torque curve, although the over all power seems to be less.
Here is the cam chest on the 117" '25 Softails.
Here is the cam chest on the '25 121 ci. VVT.
The parts that enable VVT are the variable drive gear for the cam, part 14, the cam phaser, part 24, and the VVT actuator solenoid, part 29. These are missing in the 117" and 121" HO models. The advantage to VVT is a much flatter torque curve, although the over all power seems to be less.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 913
Likes: 865
From: Mesquite Nevada
The clutch pull is extreme. My 13 Dyna has easier clutch pull. I have nerve damage in my hands, I will need to make a change. Do those “easy pull” clutch levers work?
Last edited by MesquiteFLD; Mar 29, 2026 at 11:23 AM.
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Bates County MO
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 1,097
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From: Colorado
My wife ride also a Freewheeler and she also finds it a bit difficult to use in city traffic when you have to constantly operate it, but other than that she's fine with it.
When you speak of the friction zone that can't be adjusted, it's on the hydro clutch of the trike I suppose ? because on the Street Bob you know you can do it and that's what I will do on mine because my friction zone is too far, nearly at the end of the stroke of the lever and I think this will increase my riding comfort and my ability to better control the machine.
All these little details are important and contribute to driving comfort and also to safety.
When you speak of the friction zone that can't be adjusted, it's on the hydro clutch of the trike I suppose ? because on the Street Bob you know you can do it and that's what I will do on mine because my friction zone is too far, nearly at the end of the stroke of the lever and I think this will increase my riding comfort and my ability to better control the machine.
All these little details are important and contribute to driving comfort and also to safety.
As far as cable, ya I adjust mine 1 full turn out to get closer to bar. So I have hers and mine set up same, but hers is noticibly stiffer than mine. And it's difficult to say the friction zone is smaller... If probably not... But between clutch and throttle it is definitely a chore.
Heck, that was the first thing I told her in the parking lot when she noticed it... I said we'll you need to use your clutch more... Not the answer it should be.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,094
Likes: 762
From: France
As far as cable, ya I adjust mine 1 full turn out to get closer to bar. So I have hers and mine set up same, but hers is noticibly stiffer than mine. And it's difficult to say the friction zone is smaller... If probably not... But between clutch and throttle it is definitely a chore.
Heck, that was the first thing I told her in the parking lot when she noticed it... I said we'll you need to use your clutch more... Not the answer it should be.
Heck, that was the first thing I told her in the parking lot when she noticed it... I said we'll you need to use your clutch more... Not the answer it should be.
As far as cable I thought that with 1 full turn you will be more far from the bar than with a half turn, that's what I want to do on mine.
To day Today I rode in sport mode most of the time, even through villages, and I got used to it quite well. I'm starting to get used to this throttle grip, and I'm sure that once I have a better riding position, I'll have virtually no more problems.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2024
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From: Colorado
Moeller makes a clutch effort reduction kit. Cheapest on fleabay is about $245 from Parts Giant